Riverside Chats Brings Notable Omahans to Benson Community

The stage is set, the lights are dim, a well-curated music playlist fills the room. It’s a Wednesday night at The B Side of Benson Theatre, and Riverside Chats is about to begin.

Riverside Chats is essentially a live podcast, recorded on a stage with an audience invited to participate in the conversation. A collaboration between Aksarben Creative and Benson Theatre, the show began in January, commencing with local comedian Cameron Logsdon as the featured guest.

The show takes the format of an hour-long conversation between the guest and host Tom Knoblauch, a local filmmaker. Knoblauch, who co-founded Aksarben Creative, strives to help people tell their stories.

“It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to do a live talk show,” said Knoblauch. “I’m very excited to partner with Benson Theatre to make that happen.”

The B Side of Benson Theatre aims to raise funds for restoration of the historic Benson Theatre through community events such as Riverside Chats.

Knoblauch and Aksarben Creative have taken an interest in exploring Omaha culture. When pursuing a venue for the show, Knoblauch sought an opportunity to partner with a business or organization with strong community connections. The theatre restoration project in the heart of Benson caught his attention.

“The Benson Theatre renovation is a great local project. It will be a great venue for Benson upon completion with the support of the community.”

Brent Lubbert and Eddie Quintero of Big Muddy Urban Farm discuss the urban farming culture in Omaha with Tom Knoblauch.

​Riverside Chats explored the recent controversy around the proposed LB314 bill, which threatens the existence of local breweries in the state of Nebraska. Knoblauch was joined by local brewers to discuss the matter, including Dave Link of Benson’s Infusion Brewing Company.

Other featured guests have included Brent Lubbert and Eddie Quintero of Big Muddy Urban Farm and local filmmaker Brigitte Timmerman, who discussed her documentary, “The Omaha Speaking,” which focuses on the few remaining fluent speakers of the Omaha Tribe and the efforts to keep the language alive.

Future guests include Rachel Jacobson of Film Streams (March 6) and congressional candidate Kara Eastman (March 27). Knoblauch encourages anyone doing something interesting in Omaha to reach out about being a featured guest on the show.

For more information on Riverside Chats or to listen to previous episodes, please visit aksarbencreative.com/riverside-chats. More information on Benson Theatre can be found at bensontheatre.org.